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Sep 19, 2019Bookworm1136 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
4 1/2 - 5 star read. I love William Kent Krueger's books and this stand alone was an exceptional read, filled with interesting characters and a terrific storyline. 4 orphans meet at the Lincoln Indian Training School in Minnesota in 1932, at the time of the Great Depression. Albert and his brother Odie are the only white kids in the school. Odie is a rebel and seems to always be doing things that merit harsh punishment. The woman who runs the school, known to the kids as the Black Witch, seems to have a particular need to punish Odie. Their best friend is Mose, a young mute Sioux boy. When they finally escape the school, they take young Emmy with them. They take to the river in a canoe and plan to head to St. Louis, where Albert and Odie have a barely remembered Aunt. Along the way, they have adventures, some good, some bad. The journey teaches them life skills and who to trust. And at times, it divides them. This is a book with heart and is a great story that I found hard to put down. An excellent read.